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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 4 Hansard (30 March) . . Page.. 1224 ..

Mr Stanhope asked the Attorney-General, upon notice:

In relation to the appointment by the Government, during 1998-99, of a Court Administrator to integrate the administrative structures of the ACT Supreme Court and ACT Magistrates Court.

1. What progress has been made on this task.

2. What savings have been achieved by this appointment.

3. Have the Chief Justice and Chief Magistrate welcomed the appointment.

4. Are the Chief Justice and the Chief Magistrate working cooperatively with the new administrator on the integration of the courts' system.

Mr Humphries: The answer to the member's question is as follows:

(1) Mr Martin Toohey was appointed on 16 September 1999 to the position of ACT Courts Administrator.

(2) It is not yet possible to quantify savings attributable to the appointment but efficiencies and other benefits are being achieved through a range of projects managed by the Courts Administrator which include:

establishing an amalgamated Courts Administration Unit

amalgamation of civil/small claims sections of the Magistrates Court

amalgamation of bailiffs and sheriffs sections of the Magistrates and Supreme Courts respectively

implementation of postal service of juror notices

change to a new provider of recording and transcription services to both Courts and the introduction of digital recording technology in the Supreme Court

development of uniform Rules of Court

development of court security legislation planning for a combined courts budget for FY 2001/2

combined training regime for staff of both courts

new management arrangements for court library resources

review of the IT resources and needs of both courts

capital works project for new Supreme Court accommodation

(3) Yes. The Chief Magistrate participated directly in the selection process together with the Master of the Supreme Court and the Chief Executive of the Department of Justice and Community Safety.

(4) Yes. The Courts Administrator has regular contact with the two heads of jurisdiction in addition to which the Chief Justice, Chief Magistrate, Chief Executive and Courts Administrator meet quarterly as a committee to review progress and plan new projects.

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